Summary
On May 04, 2019, a Bell 206 (N49643) was involved in an accident near Oxnard, CA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
On May 4, 2019, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N49643, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oxnard, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 aerial application flight.
The operator reported that this was the helicopters third flight of the day. However, this was the first paint material load of the day. As the pilot made his third pass over the greenhouses, he noticed that he was using more left cyclic to maintain level flight. He continued to spray in attempt to correct any load imbalances, however, the helicopter continued to lean further to the right. The pilot maneuvered away from the greenhouses.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR19LA135. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N49643.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 4, 2019, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N49643, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oxnard, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 aerial application flight.
The operator reported that this was the helicopters third flight of the day. However, this was the first paint material load of the day. As the pilot made his third pass over the greenhouses, he noticed that he was using more left cyclic to maintain level flight. He continued to spray in attempt to correct any load imbalances, however, the helicopter continued to lean further to the right. The pilot maneuvered away from the greenhouses. The helicopter’s right turn continued to increase until it impacted the ground at about a 45-degree bank. A post impact fire ensued and completely consumed the helicopter.
The operator further reported that the helicopter was equipped with 2, 60-gallon mixture tanks mounted on each side of the aircraft. The tanks were connected through a transfer equalizing tube which fed a centrally located electric pump. The pump then sent the wash through the spray booms. The operator mentioned that they believe one of the mixture tanks stopped transferring, which would cause the helicopter to be imbalanced.
Postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies with the helicopter, however, it was destroyed, and mostly consumed by impact and fire related damage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR19LA135